Eagles will need to upgrade receivers

Without Jackson, they're expected to draft at least one WR.

DeSean Jackson is gone for good but won't be forgotten unless or until the Philadelphia Eagles succeed without him.

Their most dynamic wide receiver for the last six years, Jackson came through with his best season in 2013, Chip Kelly's first as coach, suggesting this would be a great marriage.

As we know now, it was never more than an uneasy, professional co-existence. Kelly, in fact, grew so tired of Jackson by the end of his 82-catch, 1,332-yard season that he made the decision then to jettison his star one way or another. And after finding no suitable trade offers, the Eagles just decided to release Jackson despite not even receiving a compensatory NFL Draft pick in return.

With a good draft and sound roster management, Kelly and the Eagles may be able to make up for all those catches and all those yards this coming season. But there's no telling if they will be able to enjoy the same kind of dimension the speedy Jackson gave them by often forcing safeties to play softer, thus opening up the running game for LeSean McCoy.

McCoy also is coming off his best year as a pro, and it was no coincidence. Jackson and McCoy together in Kelly's system with quarterback Nick Foles making great decisions very often served to fold, spindle and mutilate defenses as the Eagles set franchise records for both yardage and points.

Subtracting Jackson — despite all the negativity about his work ethic and off-field problems that might have been leaked strategically and certainly have not been denied by an organization that has had no comment on the matter — is a huge gamble for Kelly.

But in Chip, the players trust, so they are moving on without public complaint.

Said McCoy in an interview with FOXsports.com: "[Jackson is] probably the biggest deep threat in the NFL. To lose a guy like that is definitely tough. He'll definitely be missed. Obviously every move is made for a reason."

All of this points to next month's draft, in which an extraordinary number of talented receivers will be available, according to the experts.

Could the Eagles use their first pick on one? You bet.

Could they trade up to get someone like Clemson's Sammy Watkins or Texas A&M's Mike Evans? Possibly. But more than likely, with only six total picks, they will be looking to trade down — quality for quantity — in what many believe is the deepest draft in the league's history.

If they do drop or stay where they are, names like Florida State's Kelvin Benjamin, Penn State's Allen Robinson and Mississippi's Donte Moncrief should be there

One virtual guarantee is that the current collection of wide receivers on their roster now will be altered before the team hits the field for its first offseason minicamp.

Jeremy Maclin is coming off ACL surgery performed just eight months ago. He missed all of 2013. Riley Cooper (career highs of 47 catches, 835 yards and eight TD receptions) also is no lock to continue with high productivity without Jackson on the team anymore.

Arrelious Benn, like Maclin, is coming off an injury, which has come to be his default setting.

Jason Avant was allowed to sign with Carolina as a free agent after his contract expired.

The rest of the wideouts are role players/special-teamers.

But there is hope. Roseman hinted earlier this offseason that it is possible a wide receiver will show up as the best available athlete remaining every time they are due to pick this year. So maybe they grab more than one.

The Eagles are thought to be much more stable at tight end, with emerging, second-year star Zach Ertz (36 catches, 469 yards) joining veterans Brent Celek (32 catches, 502 yards) and James Casey.

But cranking the offense back into fifth gear will be difficult at best, because it is rare when a rookie receiver has as much impact as Jackson did last year.

Color Kelly unfazed.

"I don't think our offense has ever been predicated on one player," he said at the NFL Owners Meetings last month.

"It's why I think we have diversity. I mean, we were first in rushing and I think ninth in passing. I think there is balance in terms of how we do things. You want great players at every position, and I think that's what we're always striving for in terms of where we can put people into position. It's never been predicated on just one guy, because if it is, if he's out for a water break or hurt for an extended period of time, then you're going to be in trouble."